Electricity rates in Plains, MT
Plains (1,051 people, Sanders County) is served by 4 electric utilities. Homes on NorthWestern Energy pay about 15.71¢/kWh, 14% more than the Montana average.
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Electric companies serving Plains
| Utility | Type | Rate | Avg bill | Homes (statewide) | Outage min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NorthWestern Energy | Investor-owned utility | 15.71¢ | $111 | 334K | 125 |
| USBIA-Mission Valley Power | Federal utility | 9.56¢ | $122 | 16K | — |
| Missoula Electric Co-op | Electric cooperative | 11.41¢ | $122 | 15K | 1,332 |
| Northern Lights | Electric cooperative | 13.93¢ | $126 | 4,700 | 223 |
Power outages in Sanders County right now
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Outage history in Sanders County
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Outage minutes per customer | 272 | 1,545 |
| Days with outages | 41 | 40 |
| Most customers out at once | 1,823 (24.9%) | 6,903 (94.4%) |
| Worst day | 2024-09-26 | 2025-12-17 |
Outage minutes by month, 2025
More outage time than 2024 (272 min). Data: ORNL EAGLE-I county outage snapshots every 15 minutes, covering all utilities in the county.
Nearby cities
- Thompson Falls 15.7¢
- Ronan 9.6¢
- Pablo 9.6¢
- Polson 9.6¢
- Frenchtown 15.7¢
- Lakeside 10.4¢
- Somers 10.4¢
- Bigfork 10.4¢
- Orchard Homes 11.4¢
- Kalispell 10.4¢
ZIP codes: 59859
Frequently asked questions
What is the electricity rate in Plains?
Most homes in Plains get power from NorthWestern Energy, where residential customers pay an average of 15.71¢/kWh including all charges. The Montana average is 13.84¢ and the U.S. average 17.99¢. Other utilities serving parts of Plains: USBIA-Mission Valley Power (9.56¢), Missoula Electric Co-op (11.41¢), Northern Lights (13.93¢).
What is the average electric bill in Plains?
About $111 a month, based on 707 kWh a month (the average for NorthWestern Energy customers) at 15.71¢/kWh. Homes with electric heat, pools or EVs pay more.
Who is the electric company in Plains, MT?
4 utilities serve Plains's ZIP codes: NorthWestern Energy, USBIA-Mission Valley Power, Missoula Electric Co-op, Northern Lights. Which one serves you depends on your street address.
How often does the power go out in Plains?
In 2025, customers in Sanders County averaged 25 hr 45 min without power. Outages hit 40 days of the year, and the worst day was 2025-12-17, when 6,903 customers (94.4%) were out. Source: ORNL EAGLE-I.